Wale Jagun
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, has moved a motion on the flood disaster that ravaged several communities under Ikosi-Isheri Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Areas, and some communities under Ogun State, seeking urgent intervention of the Federal Government.
Abiru, who is representing Lagos East Senatorial District at the Senate, brought the motion under matters of public importance pursuant to the orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023, as amended.
The lawmaker brought the distress of his constituents to the attention of the Nigerian Senate, following the release of water from Oyan River Dam which is managed by Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, the statements released by the Senator’s media aide Mr. Enitan Olukotun, on Thursday have revealed.
The Senator expressed concern that the residents of the areas have fled their homes and businesses, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities, while in the Maidan area of Ikosi-Isheri, the water reportedly reached the neck region of an adult, and that the sad story is not different from the reports gathered at Caterpillar, Harmony Estates, and some parts of Channels TV road in Ikosi Isheri.
He further expressed dismay that communities around Ikorodu road, shortly after mile 12, such as Agiliti 2, Owode Elede, Irawo, Ajegunle, Elias Estate, Famous, down to Itowolo, have also taken over by flood.
He informed the Senate that he was alarmed that there is an urgent humanitarian crisis occasioned by the flood as those who were sacked by the flood are hanging around with family members and friends, and only a few of their belongings could be savaged in the face of the fiery flood with food, clothing and shelter (even makeshift) are the urgent physiological needs of the people of the affected areas.
After the consideration, the Senate deliberated on the motion with other distinguished Senators, including Senator (Otunba) Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Senator Ahmed Ningi supporting the motion. They called for expedited action to be taken to forestall re-occurrence of the perennial flood crisis.
The Senate passed all the resolutions as presented and commiserated with the victims of the flood disaster, and commended the Government of Lagos and Ogun States, for their handling of the flood disaster.
In his motion, Senator Abiru urged that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should be directed to send relief materials to the victims of the flood in the affected communities in Lagos and Ogun States.
He also urged the Federal Government, “to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to X-ray the recurring situation of flood across the country, with a view to proffer a lasting solution to flood disasters.
Also, relevant committees of the Senate were equally urged to provide adequate funding for NIMET, Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities, to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with their mandates.
Furthermore, the Executive was urged to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Committee for the Development of a Comprehensive Plan of Action which recommended the establishment of a National Flood Management Council (NFMC) in Nigeria, to serve as a central body responsible for coordinating flood management activities nationwide.
